SIBU: Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent played Santa Claus’ at Rh Sandau, Mapailli in Kanowit recently when he announced a RM30,000 minor rural project (MRP) grant for the longhouse next year.

Longhouse chief Sandau Ayu said the grant was a Christmas present to him and the 12 families of the longhouse. The money will be used to pay part of the cost in building the new longhouse.

Apart from the grant, Alexander also gave RM4,000 to the longhouse.

During his visit, he received applications from more than 100 people to join Parti  Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

PRS Ngemah branch secretary Anyie Jana and the branch’s youth chief Ramba Resang witnessed the handing over of the membership forms. Leveling works for the construction of the new double-storey semi-concrete longhouse is currently being carried out.

In 2011, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Dagang allocated RM25,000 for the project. Sandau said they hoped to start construction works next year. Alexander, meanwhile, advised rural folk to continue to support the government.

“When you are close to the government, it can help you in so many ways, like in giving minor rural project grants.

“I hope those who have not supported it will realise this and change their stand soonest for their own benefit and future,” he said.

He also advised them not to hesitate to invite their elected representatives to their longhouses.

“You can then air your grievances. You also can get to know your representative better and vice versa.” On the on-going Native Customary Rights (NCR) land perimeter survey, Alexander stressed that it was not the government’s ploy to take their land as alleged by certain quarters.

“Please give your full support to the exercise as its ultimate aim is to give you titles for your land at a later stage.

“Emulate those in Betong I have been told that majority of them supported it and now they have titles to their land. Sarawak is a huge state. If you reject it but later change your mind, you will have to wait for the next phase which can be a long, long time to come,” Alexander said. He stressed that the perimeter survey had the support of the Prime Minister who had set aside an allocation of RM80 million for the 2011 to 2015 survey.

He disclosed that six applications for perimeter surveying had been received from folk in Kanowit district with two already approved.

“One of them is in Ngemah constituency initially covering Pedai, Bawan, Tuah, Jih and Tada those areas by the Senibong-Tada Road and this is a pilot project for Kanowit.” He also advised folk in the area to turn out in full force for a free health/eye screening by Seduan Lion Club at Rh Intai, Nanga Tada in Kanowit on Dec 15.

(Source:  The Borneo Post, 10 December 2013)